Toyota Land Cruiser. Comfort, prestige, and SUV performance
In 2020, the third restyled version of the fourth generation Prado was released, and on June 9, 2021, the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 was presented to the world.
Toyota Land Cruiser is a full-size 4WD SUV from Toyota, produced since 1951 and the oldest model produced under the Toyota brand. What kind of Word can describe this legendary car? Tameless, reliable, robust, durable? Yeah, that’s correct. But none of these words can fully describe a car that has been a symbol of SUV throughout at least 60 years, born to survive harsh conditions.
The legendary SUV Toyota Land Cruiser is considered the most reliable car with the best cross-country abilities. Its sales exceeded 10M cars. Since the very first generation, Land Cruiser cars have recognized for good off-road performance. They are driven in the hardest climate conitions all over the world, helping fix the hardest problems of industry, agriculture, humanitarian missions, extreme expeditions, and motor sports.
The very first Land Cruiser was a Japanese analog of Willys Jeep. It was supplied for the needs of the national police as Toyota BJ. Only in 1954, Toyota BJ was renamed Land Cruiser to remind the competitor, Land Rover. In different times Land Cruiser was a convertible, a hardtop, an estate, a truck, and was the American bestseller. Reliability and durabilty of the car raised its popularity. 1987 is the starting point for Land Cruiser generation, the birth of the Toyota’s Land Cruiser Prado.
First generation
The production of the first-generation of Toyota Land Cruiser was on from 1987 to 1996. Land Cruiser 70 was the first car of the LC 40's offspring and the last truly off-road Cruiser. Not comfort and luxury were its primary goal. It aimed at cross-country capability and reliability much more. The 4-door version of the Land Cruiser was called Prado and later became an independent model. Off-road vehicles and pickup trucks Toyota Land Cruiser 70 have been produced until now, though already upgraded. In 1990, the Toyota Land Cruiser 80 appeared in the market with a completely new look, lots of rounded lines, with electronically controlled locks of all differentials.
Second generation
The second-generation Toyota Land Cruiser was produced between 1996 and 2002, with a restyling in 1999. The second generation of the Land Cruiser became the Toyota’s first SUV with a fully independent front suspension. It was called the Land Cruiser 90 Prado. In 1997, the legendary Land Cruiser 100 appeared. The second Cruiser was still frame-based, but completely different, with modern shock absorbing elements, but not less strong. Compared to the LC 80, the Land Cruiser 100 model had a reconfigured independent suspension of all wheels and brakes. Noise and vibration levels were reduced, and new engines were added. After the restyling in 1999, the second Cruiser received independent climate control for rear passengers. New headlights and bumper, as well as different interior trim, were added afterward.
The legendary SUV Toyota Land Cruiser is considered the most reliable car with the best cross-country abilities. Its sales exceeded 10M cars. Since the very first generation, Land Cruiser cars have recognized for good off-road performance. They are driven in the hardest climate conitions all over the world, helping fix the hardest problems of industry, agriculture, humanitarian missions, extreme expeditions, and motor sports.
The Land Cruiser 100 became one of the best-selling full-size SUVs in the world, because unlike its predecessors, it openly bet on luxury: there was an air suspension with adjustable ground clearance, a powerful V8 engine, and in 2002 - the first for production vehicles night vision system (was available only for Land Cruiser Cygnus - the twin of the Lexus LX470 with the Toyota logo for the domestic Japanese market). The Land Cruiser 100 became not only the pinnacle of all previous Land Cruiser developments, but in a certain sense and a model of perfection of all the SUVs.
Third generation
The third generation of Toyota Land Cruiser was in production from 2002 to 2009. It was restyled in 2007 resulting in the release of the Land Cruiser 120 Prado. The third-generation Land Cruiser 120 series was pretty much the same Land Cruiser 100, but a little simpler and smaller. At the same time, it had most of the advantages of the Land Cruiser 100 - comfort, prestige, and cross-country ability. In 2007, the famous Land Cruiser 100 finally received a successor - Land Cruiser 200. It was made using the modified frame of the second Tundra. In comparison with the 100 series, the truck has a reinforced front suspension and more powerful brakes. The Cruiser 200 is larger and more comfortable and generously equipped.
Fourth generation
The fourth-generation Toyota Land Cruiser has been in production since 2009 until now. It has had two restyled versions in 2013 and 2017. The Toyota Land Cruiser 150 Prado replaces the Land Cruiser 120 Prado. This car, based on the previous generation, received an improved 4WD and new electronics. It used a different gearbox algorithm, aimed at saving fuel.
The restyling 2017 is the latest version of the 200 series Land Cruiser. The new Toyota Land Cruiser 2017/2018 has even more onboard electronics: all-round cameras, keyless access, uphill and downhill assistants, and 4-zone climate control. The engines became more powerful. Motors with 6 cylinders in-line have been completely substituted with V6.
